Vertical Divider

UNLV Crowned NIVC Champs

2021 NIVC Bracket
File Size:	2361 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

VALPARAISO, IN — In becoming the first mid-major program to win the revamped NIVC, UNLV played five matches on the road and won every one, the last in a resounding victory over Valparaiso as Mariena Hayden paced the effort with 12 kills and nine digs.

The Rebels (28-9), out of the Mountain West Conference, won the most matches in program history this season and played on the road in all their NIVC matches in 2021. The Beacons (26-10) won four matches to reach the NIVC final, all in 3-0 sweeps and all on their home court.

UNLV had an 18-9 lead in kills while taking the first set, closing it out on an ace from Lauryn Burt and a kill from Hayden. In Set 2, the score was tied at 17-all before the Rebels pulled away, getting the final two points on blocks. In the closing set, UNLV took an early lead and made it stand up, closing the deal with kills from Hayden (reigning Mountain West player of the year) and Kate Brennan.

Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos had 10 kills for UNLV; Brennan had eight kills, Arien Fafard dishes out 22 assists, and Shelby Capllonch added 15 digs. Jordyn Freeman led the way in blocks with nine.

For Valpo, Peyton McCarthy had nine kills and Brittany Anderson had 13 assists. Rylee Cookerly had 10 digs, leaving her just one short of the NCAA D-I record of 3,176.

This marked the fourth edition of the rebooted NIVC, which originally ran from 1989-95. Previous winners of the updated NIVC (powered by Triple Crown Sports) were Georgia Tech (2019), Iowa State (2018) and Ole Miss (2017).

Tournament officials also announced the 2021 NIVC all-tournament team:

Mariena Hayden (MVP) - UNLV
Shelby Capllonch - UNLV
Jordyn Freeman - UNLV
Brittany Anderson - Valparaiso
Peyton McCarthy - Valparaiso
Serena Patterson - UTEP
McKayla Wuensch - UConn

Headlines

Dec. 12, 2021 - Championship recap
​Dec. 10, 2021 - Semifinal recap
Dec. 9, 2021 - Semifinal recap
​Dec. 8, 2021 - Quarterfinal recap
Dec. 8, 2021 - UConn rides right mental approach to NIVC quarters
Dec. 7, 2021 - Quarterfinal recaps
Dec. 6, 2021 - Quarterfinal recap
Dec. 5, 2021 - Round 2 recap
Dec. 4, 2021 - Round 1, 2 recaps
​Dec. 4, 2021 - Arkansas excited to write its own story at NIVC
Dec. 3, 2021 - Round 1, 2 recaps
​Dec. 2, 2021 - Round 1 recaps
​Dec. 1, 2021 - CSU ready for lessons, extra touches at NIVC
Nov. 28, 2021 -  Officials Announce Selections for 2021 NIVC

2021 NIVC Teams

AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS
Arkansas (19-10) – SEC
Colorado State (18-10) – Mountain West*
Delaware State (26-4) – MEAC*
Houston Baptist (21-8) – Southland
Jackson State (17-13) – SWAC*
​Pacific (13-16) – WCC
Sam Houston State (18-9) – WAC*
UConn (21-10) – Big East
UTEP (21-7) – C-USA
Weber State (20-9) – Big Sky*
*Denotes conference regular season champion

AT-LARGE TEAMS
Arizona (16-15) – Pac-12
Bradley (16-14) – Missouri Valley
Boston College (16-16) – ACC
Butler (16-15) – Big East
Chicago State (17-10) – WAC
CSU Bakersfield (18-10) – Big West
Evansville (19-11) – Missouri Valley
Indiana State (18-12) – Missouri Valley
Middle Tennessee (9-11) – C-USA
New Mexico State (19-9) – WAC
North Carolina A&T (20-10) – Big South
North Florida (24-7) – Atlantic Sun
Portland State (19-10) – Big Sky
Stephen F. Austin (18-9) – WAC
Troy (17-12) – Sun Belt
Tulsa (14-15) – American
Toledo (19-12) – MAC
UNC Greensboro (23-7) – Southern
UNLV (23-9) – Mountain West
Univ. Texas Rio Grande Valley (17-10) – WAC
Valparaiso (22-9) – Missouri Valley